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AT&T, Verizon waiving fees, Comcast offering free internet amid coronavirus outbreak


Several internet providers announced this week they will be waiving fees, promising to not terminate service, and providing internet to low-income families during the coronavirus outbreak (SBG)
Several internet providers announced this week they will be waiving fees, promising to not terminate service, and providing internet to low-income families during the coronavirus outbreak (SBG)
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LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) -- Internet providers are doing what they can to help Americans working from home or students sent home from school amid the coronavirus pandemic.

COMCAST

Comcast announced that they will offer two months of free internet services to low-income households.

"As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, we recognize that our company plays an important role in helping our customers stay connected – to their families, their workplaces, their schools, and the latest information about the virus – through the Internet," the company said in a statement. "We also know that for millions of low-income Americans who don’t have Internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage. As schools and businesses close and families are encouraged, or even mandated, to stay home, Internet connectivity becomes even more important."

Effective Monday, they are putting in place two substantial program enhancements to help these families deal with this crisis.

  • They will make it even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign up by offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
  • Also, they are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward. In this way, we will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis.

Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit online here.

AT&T

AT&T is waiving data overage fees to all customers so that families and students can stay connected during the pandemic. The company is promising not to terminate the service of any customer over the next 60 days.

"The work we do is critical to millions of people and companies around the world, and we’re committed to being there when our customers and colleagues need us most," they said in a statement.

All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program.

VERIZON

Verizon’s said its networks are designed and built to meet future demand and are ready should demand increase or usage patterns change significantly.

In addition, Verizon announced that it is increasing its capital guidance range from $17 - $18 billion to $17.5 - $18.5 billion in 2020. This effort will accelerate Verizon's transition to 5G and help support the economy during this period of disruption.

Verizon said it will waive any late fees and not terminate any service for the next 60 days.

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